Chapter 48: Acknowledging my weakness and my opponent's strength, no matter what I will get stronger! The beginning of my first Monster Duel begins with a rather unexpected twist at the end!? Pt. 1
(In Michael's mind)
"It's been a while since I've been in here." Michael sat back looking at the moving sky above of him.
[Yes it has but maybe you should try doing it on your own.]
In the wasteland, on a huge Red Western Dragon's back Michael decided to rest on Ddraig's back until he regains consciousness. Being bored with nothing to do Ddraig usually would fly around to pass the time whenever Michael wasn't fighting. The two have been pretty calm when they let a momentary silence pass by them.
"Man that guy was powerful." Michael raising his hand in the sky.
[Yeah. Partner I could sense the power he had within him when you two traded blows.]
"Really what did you find out?" Michael sits up.
[Apparently he's capable with other abilities than Touki, and I sensed something else linked with that Touki which felt rather "natural" for his body to use. He seemed to be an experienced fighter who had more to show then what he let on.]
"Wait so that guy has abilities other than Touki? Then how come he didn't use it in our fight?" Michael asked.
[He probably didn't want to hurt the bystanders watching you two.]
"I guess that's true but if it were an all-out fight I know I could match him right, Ddraig?"
[…]
"Hehe…Ddraig?" Michael's smile fell.
[Partner I'm afraid if things had gotten serious you would have lost.]
"What? Oh, I see what you're doing! Just trying to encourage me to fight him with full strength just to test my power hm?" Michael shrugged off the comment like a joke.
[Michael, you need to listen.]
"Hahaha! Ddraig sometimes you can be such a kidder." Michael laughed.
[I do not kid around whenever the strength of my user is involved.]
Whipping his head back, Ddraig stared at his partner with his slitted dragon eyes, they were sterner than what they usually are. Michael stopped laughing and had his entire smile drop in that one moment.
"Are you serious?"
[Michael in that fight I saw that you were getting laggy with each hit you received. In that fight I saw the vast difference between you and your opponent. He's much better than you in the speed and power department. Not to mention his combat prowess and aggressiveness being in total sync. Having someone like that face you while staying in complete control of that certain strength would be troublesome for someone like you.]
"So even if he is talented or whatever I can still take him down if I put my all into it." Michael just wanted to put himself at ease feeling some frustration at the thought of still being too weak.
[That's the troublesome part, he isn't a natural born talent.]
"What?"
[Michael I keep track of your fights and I made sure to evaluate the opponents you can and can't handle.]
"Heh! Then you should get how great I am since you've seen all my fights!"
[No, that's far from it.]
"W-What?" Michael clenched his chest as he felt his heart shatter.
[Don't take what I say as discouraging it's only the truth. Based from what I've seen you've either gone through a breaking point in anger that helped you defeat your past opponents. The downside is that it's a level of power you can't normally draw out unless mad.]
"Y-Yeah I guess but that still doesn't matter since I was able to defeat those guys with it."
[You fool!]
Michael flinches back.
[That's only a part of the reason why you've been able to defeat your opponents. Your training might have gotten you a few steps ahead but it's not enough. Your opponents played major factors in your battles, all of your opponents until now have underestimated you which results in you getting pissed off.]
"O-Oh…" Michael dropped his head as he got scolded by his dragon partner.
[Dohnaseek, Kokabiel and Vali. These guys had power way above yours in your normal state along with your balance breaker state. They have the same thing in common when they fought you. They never took you serious in the beginning of battle, they angered you, and you caught them off guard with your new boost in power.]
Ddraig looked up at the burning sun in the blue sky as he soared over the rocky wasteland.
[These 3 have been the ones to draw out your potential by force. This isn't good since you should be the one doing that. When your opponents are doing something for you then that's a sign telling you, that you're definitely doing something wrong. But no matter how you look at it these are still the best people your good against.]
"So what is the point of telling me all of this?"
[Because you are weak against opponents who have trained and practiced using their power, the type that fight all out and won't underestimate anything you do. They won't be pushing you around or toying with you they may actually be seeing you as a threat to defeat or to kill.]
Michael gulped.
[And with guys like these they sure won't let you get a power boost unharmed or just stay there and watch you do it. They'll be going at you with the intention to utterly defeat you.]
"But I can still find a way if I keep going at them!"
[Maybe you can but are you guaranteed you say that for every fight. What if you're rival, Vali came at you right now without any lingering thoughts of holding back even at the start of the fight? Do you think you could still find a way while trying to get through all of his attacks without getting killed?]
"…Well…" Michael shrugged.
[But don't worry that's where the line is drawn when it comes to weakness.]
"Seriously?" Michael widen his eyes as he gasped.
[Yeah, it isn't your fault that you're like this right now. It may be because you were put in a position where you had to fight all these outrageous guys as a devil. But right now the only reason why you have these weaknesses is because you're still green.]
"GREEN!? Oh yeah, well your face is GREEN!" Michael shouted, offended. But his comeback wasn't really that great.
[No, you idiot not like that. I mean you're a greenhorn.]
"…" Crickets were chirping around Michael. He didn't get it.
[A neophyte, a tyro, a tenderfoot a-! You're new at fighting and using your power.]
"Oh, why didn't you just say that?"
[I wonder how you get passable grades in class.]
"Silly Ddraig, that's why school's have bare minimums!" Michael patted the Big Ol' Dragon's back.
[But you understand now right? Your weaknesses and the disadvantages you face against people who won't pull any punches on you.]
Falling straight on his back Michael sighs, "Man it sucks talking about how weak I am. Fine I get it…"
Michael breathed in, "I'm not strong enough…yet. Is that good enough?"
[Plenty. Kukukuku… the "yet" in the end reassures me that you really paid attention to me this time.]
"Of course, as a future Maou I have to listen to any opinion that will make me greater than I already am as the Gre-! Crap I almost said it…" Michael bit his tongue to stop himself.
[Are you still hung up about that?]
"Of course I am! I need a word that really defines me!" Michael scratched his head in frenzy for just a single idea.
[A word that describes you?]
"Yeah and I've been going through my mind to come up with one and it's not working! No one I asked had a clue either!"
[You never asked me.]
"Because you don't care."
[True, but I just have a good word for you to use.]
"Okay I'll try it out so lay it on me D-Dog!"
[Michael do not call me that…]
"Geez! You and Saji suck! My nicknames are totally legit!"
[Okay then I guess you wouldn't mind if I called you Tri-rection Hair.]
"What?" Michael growled.
[Because your hair is always seen up with the three distinct parts at the top.]
"…" Michael blinks for a while and concedes defeat, "Just tell me the word you came up with."
[Gutsy.]
"Gutsy?" Michael rubs his chin and thinks on it.
"Gutsy? Guts…? Guts…." Michael was getting the hang of things, "It has a nice tune to it."
[Its something I might have heard someone say a while back and it fits your reckless and stupidly brave actions so yeah, Gutsy.]
"Now you just made it unappealing after calling me stupid." Michael deadpanned, "But I have to say it is something I should at least try once before tossing it out the window. So thanks Ddraig." Michael smiled.
[Just making sure you don't do something stupid in the future for that.]
"Welp I think I'm ready to wake up." Michael stands up and stretches, "I better train myself harder so I can fight that guy, er…Shirou. But first I guess I should make things right,"
[Also just to let you know before you wake up, that kid, inside I sensed a faint trail of dragon aura.]
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Wait a dragon's aura so does he have a sacred gear holding a dragon? What kind of dragon does he hold too?"
Michael suddenly felt the rough winds coming down at him as Ddraig flew higher into the air. But he had a feeling in his stomach that he wasn't going up. Looking up (?) Michael saw the ground below him.
He was falling. Ddraig performed a spin which shook him off without him even noticing.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
[If you really want to know the truth then ask him for yourself!]
Ddraig zoomed past Michael and disappeared into the blue sky.
"What do you mean ask him myself, there's no way I'll see his face ag-!"
*SPLAT!*
(Reality)
"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Michael shot straight up out of bed screaming. He held his pillow tightly to keep himself secure. It might have happened fast but as soon as he woke up he saw that he was back at home in his room wearing his school uniform.
His outburst caused the person sitting at his bed side to jump as well.
"Holy shit!" Shirou screamed as he jumped out of his seat.
"Aaaaaaaaaah!" Michael continued screaming as he looked at Shirou.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Aaaaaaa-! Okay can we stop for a moment my throat is starting to hurt." Michael reached over to grab a glass of water from the countertop of the dresser beside him.
"Sure go ahead." Shirou was cool with it.
"Thanks man." Michael gulped down the water then froze once he realized who he was talking to.
'Wait a minute isn't he?' Michael held his rounded cheeks as he glanced at Shirou with wide eyes.
"What?" Shirou asked.
*GUUUUUUSH!*
Michael does a huge spit take at Shirou's face and points at him, "What the hell are you doing here?"
Wiping his now wet hair out of his eyes, Shirou looks at Michael with a pissed off smile, "I don't know shouldn't you say something before I answer?"
Michael looks at Shirou for 30 seconds and rubs his chin, "Something I should say?"
"Yes!"
"…" Michael stared at Shirou for a couple more seconds.
"Like what?"
"Like an apology!" Shirou shouted.
"…Oh…" Michael gasped.
"I get it…"
"So aren't you going to apologize?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry that you stood in my splash zone." Michael pointed to the spot where, he spat Shirou with water.
"Is that it?"
"Yup!" Michael nodded.
"So are we cool?"
"Well that's not good enough, asshole! I mean apologize for spitting water in my face!"
"Why you saw me with a mouth full of it so you had the chance to DODGE!" Michael exaggerates with a scream.
"Where the hell did that come from?" Shirou looks at the weird boy strangely.
"I-I'm sorry, I have no idea what came over me…Geez how embarrassing I really need to stop steering off to…Oh my God-ow, is that a gift basket!?" Michael disregarded what he said and lunged for the gift basket filled with fruit.
"It's a fruit basket you moron." Shirou corrected.
"A fruit basket? Who gave this to me?" Michael looked to the only person with him and gasped.
"I-It was you, but why, also out of everyone why are you here?" Michael frantically wanted these questions answered.
"Tch, don't get the wrong idea. I was only asked by Asia to stay back with you so we can make up or whatever." Shirou clicked his tongue and looked away.
"But why did you give me a fruit basket of all things?" Michael asks.
"What you don't like it?" Shirou growled.
"No, it's wonderful because of the thought actually, but did you really make this for me?"
"Tch! I just had too much fruit at my home so I figured I may as well get rid of it." Shirou scratches his head while looking away annoyed, his eyes showed that he was actually happy about the compliment.
"But next time just a tip for a fruit basket holding all the stuff in my diet you should add: Meat, Potato Chips, White Chocolate Chip Cookies, Soda, Fruit snacks and popcorn." Michael listed with a straight face.
'Those aren't even fruits at all!' Shirou groaned and took the fruit basket away from Michael.
"Hey!" Michael reached out for the fruit basket before catching an apple Shirou tossed his way.
"Just shut up and eat it." Shirou sighed.
"I already did…" Michael tossed the apple aside. He didn't get to eat lunch because of the fight happening before he had the chance.
"How did you-! Never mind lets skip this chit-chat and get to the point."
"The point?" Michael tilted his head.
"Yeah… you did something unforgiveable." Shirou's demeanor grew dark as he remembered the insult back before their 'little' scuffle.
"I did? It doesn't seem like a big deal to me." Michael shrugged.
"You made a joke about my mom, you prick!" Shirou cracked his knuckles, "So you better have a good reason about insulting her like that or else I'll bury you right here!"
"One moment…"
"Don't ignore me!"
"Just wait a minu-Aha!" Michael pulls out from under his bed a large book.
"Tell me why you insulted my mom you, punk!"
"What are you talking about insult, that wasn't even my best one? I mean I have this whole book of 'Your Mamma jokes' stashed under my bed for a reason so I can scale them from Best zingers to terrible blow-ups. Wanna lo-!"
Shirou slapped the book out of Michael's hands and grabbed him by the collar.
"Start talking." Shirou threatened.
"Okay, geez!" Michael pushed Shirou off of him.
Sitting up in bed Michael scratched his cheek and said, "Look do you remember when I did my awesome surprise attack on you?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"I mean awesome grand spanking surprise attack?"
"Yes, get to the poi-!"
"I mean you didn't even see it coming. It was so awesome that you got sent flying like doofus! That's the Hanamura strength which dwindles thousands if you know what I mea-!"
"Get on with it!"
Shirou cracks his knuckles and stands above Michael.
Resigning himself to explain, Michael scratches his head, "Fine…so you know how after you got hit you left. Well I did it to protect Asia thinking you were a delinquent about to attack her."
*SLAP!*
Shirou facepalmed himself.
"Are you okay?" Michael questioned.
"I'm fine, I just realized how bad a start my day was…" Shirou suppressed the memories of misunderstandings and pain he had the past morning and heaved out a long groan, "Just continue."
"So after you left I talked with Asia who convinced me that you weren't a delinquent and she told me to apologize to you since… you've been having a tough day." With a regretful smile Michael looked away.
"After hearing that I knew that I obviously made it worse didn't I?"
"You sure did?" Shirou didn't hold back with the comment.
"See I knew that too. But either way I still felt like a big turkey for doing that to you so I decided to help you out in my own way." Michael chuckled, "By acting stupid and forcing you to fight me. Also when I make jokes don't take them too personal unless you've pissed me off then take them extremely personal."
"So what you're saying is that you picked a fight with me instead of apologizing?"
"Okay I know it's bad as it sounds."
"Of course it is what next you want to say you're sorry by hitting me with a car?"
"No! Wait…did you want me to hit you with a car or…?" Michael was thinking of multiple ways of hijacking a car at that moment.
"From this I can tell you're not right in the head! And that's coming from me!" Shirou got up from his seat and was about to leave.
"See you later you crazy asshole!"
"Wait! I was just trying to relieve you of stress with that fight!"
"…Excuse me?" Shirou turns around.
"Look I've had one of those days too… literally almost every day. But still after hearing what Asia told me I knew that a simple apology really wasn't going to help you so I decided to let our fists do the talking."
Michael looks sincere as he continues, "I admit what I did was wrong and attacking you from out of nowhere was completely the wrong way to greet somebody. Fighting usually helps me let loose some steam and by the way you were smiling I realized it goes the same for you too."
"You idiot you could have gotten yourself killed if you got me that wound up to fight."
Tightening his fist secretly, Michael knew that would have been the result but smiled seeing that it wasn't the result. Considering they are both alive and breathing.
"I kind of know that now but I'm still alive so what's the worry? You got yourself to calm down and I got to see how strong you are. So it a win-win."
With his hands trembling, Shirou couldn't understand why the boy, who attacked him, who insulted his mom was coming clean about just helping him get through his day. He just couldn't get it.
"What is wrong with you?"
"Hm?"
"I never asked for your help! I just wanted to get my job done with then I could have gone home and taken care of my anger! I didn't need your help! Both of us are strangers, hell I barely even remember your name when we fought! So why, why did you decide to help me with something that doesn't concern you!?"
Shirou awaited for an answer. He examined Michael's thinking face and expected a cheesy answer.
"Because…"
Shirou gasped.
"Nobody, not even a delinquent like you deserves to have a really bad day, you know? If someone is feeling bad about something isn't natural to try and help them?"
"…!" Shirou from that instant sat back down in his seat and pulled a couple of apples from the fruit basket along with a knife.
"What are you doi-whoa!" Michael forced into grabbing a platter of freshly chopped and peeled apple slices on his plate. The palette looked delicious as Michael looked back to Shirou for an answer.
"You dumbass! Shut up and choke on these right now! I never asked for your help, go on choke on these and die so I can bury you right now!" Shirou's loud yell matched his rage filled face. However it felt a tad bit gentle than his other ones.
'Does he want me to eat these as thanks?' Michael's troubled faced turned into a smile.
"Hahahaha! You know what you're alright, Mr. Delinquent!"
"Still calling me a delinquent you asshole? My name is Shi-rou. Shi-rou Fu-ji-mura, it's not that hard a name to remember, you retard!" Shirou kept on shouting.
"Right! Sorry, Shi-rou!" Michael laughed.
"Grrr!" Shirou growled.
"What you said that was your name, hah, I guess you can't even say your name right anymore. Well at least compared to my name which is absolutely flawless!" Michael gloated.
"What do you mean? Hanamura sounds like a crappy name compared to mine!" Shirou butted heads with Michael.
"Oh yeah, they have the same ending but my "Hana-" is better than your stupid "Fuji-". My name rolls off the tongue faster what does your name have!?"
"Well my name is special since I don't lord it around like a medal like you did before! I mean who even does that!?"
"I do! That's my thing!"
"Well you better get a new thing because that one sucks!"
"I know that's why I'm getting new material!"
"Good do you need any help with that!?"
"No, I'm fine thank you!"
"You're welcome!"
The two were strangely engaging in a conversation which involved shouting. When they peered out, Michael decided to lay back in his bed and look at the ceiling,
"Say Shi-rou can I ask you something?"
"Only if you say my name correctly."
Michael blinked before turning to Shirou,
"How come you're here?"
"Don't just ignore m- forget it look why I'm here is because of a message I needed to get to Rias Gremory-sama about the communication magic circles here going haywire."
Said Shirou, while he was scratching his head.
'That's right I forgot about that…' Michael thought.
'But wait…' Michael wanted to know how Shirou knows this.
"We've confirmed that the ones jamming our communications and robbing are in the area, but the problem is we can't find who it is and what place the interference is happening. So that's why-."
"O-Oi? How do you know all of this?" Michael sweatdropped.
"You don't know, because I'm a devil just like you."
"…" Michael sucked in his lips before screaming, "You're a devil!?"
"Of course I am just what the heck did you think I was!?" Shirou couldn't follow this guy's brain patterns at all. Was he playing dumb or is he naturally this stupid?
Looking at Shirou with a plain face Michael says, "A super Alien Delinquent."
"So you're fine with me being an alien rather than a devil?" Shirou facepalmed.
"Hey, if you've lived through a day in my shoes anything can happen." Michael could remember the first time he met the supernatural world when he fought with Dohnaseek a couple of months ago.
Looking somewhat thoughtful, Shirou groans, "But what's with the delinquent part it makes no sense. How can you see a delinquent be that powerful?"
"Yusuke Urameshi." Michael looked resolved. When it came to anime characters he can create good comparisons in his head.
Shirou took a moment of silence before he spat, "Shit…you got me there."
"So if you're a devil then that must mean you're that [Queen], Buchou has been talking about." Putting two and two together, Michael cheered in his head once Shirou nodded.
"That's me and if you dare laugh or make a joke about me a dude, being a [Queen] then you won't live to see another day!" Shirou growled once he saw Michael open his mouth, probably coming up with a joke about Shirou's position.
'It must have happened to him a lot if it has him this paranoid.' Michael decided to let it go for now.
The topic then carried on back to the stolen data and information.
"So the stuff that's been jamming the magic circles and transportation are in this town?"
"Yeah and I've been given orders from my master, Seekvaira-sama to investigate and find the culprits. We couldn't spare any of the others to come with me or else the thieves may notice and relocate so she sent me in to handle things."
"Whoa, so you're not going to need any help from your other peerage members?" Michael asked.
"Nope, I told them I could handle this." Shirou lazily sat back in his seat.
'That's right, Ddraig told me this guy was stronger than me. So he must have been reliable if his master sent him here alone.' Michael thought.
"So do you know the people who are behind it?" Michael asked.
"Nope, but I'm going to find out soon enough. And more of those guys who attacked me will actually give me some answers." Shirou muttered that last part to herself.
"Wait you were attacked by some people who could be responsible sabotages?" Michael sits up from bed.
'Oh shit he heard me?' Shirou gasped.
"Yeah, but don't get carried away, this is my job so just sit back and mind your own god damn business." Shirou felt that letting this guy know would just cause more roadblocks to come his way. Not to mention he'll end up messing shit up for the enemy, something he doesn't want since he wants to their tear shit up.
"No… this could be just what I need. An emergency dealing with both the Devils and the Fallen Angels. The enemy being conveniently herein town and me being the only one who can stop them…" Michael chuckled to himself, "Yes, if I can do this then I can take another step to become Maou!"
Michael roars while throwing his arms up, "Shirou! Let's do this! I'm on board with your search 100%!"
"You bastard who said I'm letting you?" Shirou exclaimed as he butted heads with Michael once again.
"Stop being selfish and just let me help you! We're both devils so I should help!"
"Solid reasoning there you dumbass! Besides why would I need help from someone like you?"
"Because I'm awesome!"
"Pfft! Yeah right! Look this is a job that I was exclusively given I don't need your help!"
"Well tough cookies cause I'm doing it and if you didn't need my help then why did you even tell me all of this?" Michael shouted.
"Because Rias-sama told me to brief you about when you woke up since you weren't awake when I told everyone, and Asia wanted me to apologize to you. Actually, Rias-sama made it clear I told you about your punishment when you wake up."
"P-Punishment?" Michael gasped as he backed away from Shirou.
"Yes, she remembered telling you not to engage me in any sort of manner. And guess what you did so now you're probably screwed." Shirou sadistically smirked as he reached for the door.
'C-Crap I totally forgot about that.' Michael kicked himself for forgetting, he could just imagine the pain he'll go through.
Michael grew pale as he started walking back then coughs, "J-Just what kind of punishment is she talking about?"
Michael subconsciously hid his cheeks, futilely preventing a cheek pulling that will be come his way.
"Oh don't worry she's not the one giving it to out to you this time."
Michael breathed out in relief, "Thank goodness for that."
"But you're punishment does involve a bat being used to beat you."
"Wait a bat then that could only mean!"
Shirou happily opens the door to reveal a bat holding, Koneko staring at Michael.
"…Baka-senpai…" Koneko steps in.
"N-No, this is worse than Buchou!"
"…Buchou and Kaichou want for this punishment to be as brutal as it can so you can learn your lesson."
"Wait, why the Kaichou!?"
Koneko and even Shirou shot Michael a disparaging look with their eyes wondering if the guy was serious to ask that question. It even took Michael a while to process it before he thinks back to the damage he and Shirou caused to the damage campus. Knowing how Kaichou really takes care of the school, anyone who would dare defile the property of the campus would experience hellish punishment.
"But, wait a minute you caused the damage as well, how come you get off Scott free?" Michael exclaimed.
"Because unlike you I can actually get away with this stuff." Shirou had a haughty smirk on his face as he crossed his arms.
"Really?" Michael looked to Koneko who shook her head.
"…No…" Koneko was there to watch the stern punishment that Rias and Sona gave to Shirou that even Shirou couldn't comprehend. First they needed to contact Seekvaira and everything after that was downhill for him.
"Oi! You little midget I totally di-!"
*CLANG!*
"Care to finish that statement?"
"…S-Shut up…"
Shirou immediately resigned himself to stay quiet once Koneko bashed the bat against the doorframe, breaking the side of it, than what a normal person can do with it.
He forgot that the Rook was really sensitive about her height. He would recall steering clear from thinking about her height too because for some reason she can sense that.
"Hahaha! How sad of you to be scared of Koneko-chan! Pfft! You're so pathetic-Guaaaaaaah!"
Koneko shut Michael up with a swing of her bat to his ankle.
"Hey, I was in the middle of laughing!"
"…You're punishment starts now. The first bone to break is the right leg, to dash your hopes of escape."
Koneko stood over the reeling Michael while tapping the bat in her hands.
"Wait, did you say first bone? Are you trying to cripple me?" Michael tried to crawl away from the girl.
"...Asia-senpai, will heal you afterwards."
"That doesn't reassure me at all, I'm still going to feel the pain from getting my bones brok-Gaaaaaaagh!" Michael holds his battered ankle in pain, "I think you broke it that time!"
"Good. Next the knee." Koneko raised the bat over her shoulder.
"Well I can see you two are getting along quite nicely without me so I'll be heading off." Shirou enjoyed that Michael as getting clobbered but he really needed to return home so he can start his search tomorrow.
'Dammit! I forgot to ask him about his dragon power!'
"Wait Shirou I need to ask you some- GAGH! My knee! Why the knees?"
"Next up is the crotch…"
"…C-Crap…" Michael would have complained about her now going after something that isn't a bone but knew it would be futile.
"K-K-Koneko-chan, please NOOOOOOO!"
Shirou shuts the door with a wide smile before he heard the painful whimper of a man struck down in his prime. Walking downstairs after saying a few goodbyes to the people, who were downstairs, Shirou leaves the mansion and walks on the dark streets to his apartment.
It wasn't perfect because he just needed the place to stay in for a couple of days but it was the closest thing to privacy in this town.
"That guy sure has it rough more than me, almost makes me sorry for him."
\What are you talking about compared to the punishment you got, this kid is getting off easy./
A voice emanated from Shirou's body.
"Dammit, I don't want to hear you talking." Shirou groaned.
\Now, now don't get all huffy because you got your ass handed to you by your master./
"Cram it, Typhon! I don't need your shit right now just let me take a couple of minutes to myself."
Shirou was getting into an argument with the voice in his head.
\Sure I will…/
"…"
\...So what do you think of the kid?/
"I said shut up!"
\Aren't you the least bit interested in him after he took a couple of you punches and still stood up and also that-/
"He has the power of the Red Dragon Emperor. Yeah, I could have told by sensing his power."
During that fight Shirou could see faint traces of dragon aura coming out of Michael. It felt like the manifestation of aura was leaking out of him, like some overfilled cup with cracks in it.
"He doesn't really know how to control the power the Boosted Gear can give to his but he's still able to move around and fight so freely." Shirou calculated out loud, he read and lessened the hits of Michael's attacks because he saw them coming. His aura was basically giving him a read of all his moves.
\True, but that kid sure has a grudge against quitting with how many times you've knocked him down./
"You have a point the guy was making me break a sweat each time he got up. Sadly though each time he charged at me his hits were getting desperate and actually did some damage." Shirou rubbed his elbow still remembering the soreness Michael had inflicted onto him.
\If it were a true battle I would say you would win hands down./
"Obviously… but if it were a battle of attrition who would win and could I come out of it untouched?" Shirou stalled the last sentence. He would actually like to know how much Michael would do to him in his current state.
\Based on his crude martial arts, his lack of control with both his Dragon power and touki, you would still win with minor injuries./
"Of course, that punk was a good thrill fight, but still not near my level." Shirou huffs as he walks on.
\But…/
"But…?"
\I feel as though if it was a battle of attrition you would exhaust about half of your stamina when the fight finishes./
"I see…"
\The kid has heart from what I can tell and a fight with him could vary if you did certain things against him. Doesn't that rile you up to fight him aga-/
"Nah, why would I want to try the same meat twice? The guy's weaker than me so I don't have time to be messing with him." Shirou scratched his head.
"The farther he is away from my job the better it is for me."
\Is that really it? I feel that you've gotten to like the kid. Maybe you want him to repay him for helping you earlier by dealing with the threat yourself, hell maybe you feel like the two of you could be frie-/
"N-No! No, freaking way in hell am I friends with dumbass! I mean did you see the way he was acting it was agitating! Pfft! Acting like I needed his help to blow off steam, yeah right I could have done that without him!"
Shirou went out on a rant to deny what Typhon was suggesting. But he couldn't hide the fact that he stuttered in the beginning with his voice raising to prove just how accurate the voice in his head was.
\Okay then I stand corrected you just really want to get this job over with and that's it right?"
"Yes!"
\Fine then, partner, I believe you./
"…Your playing me aren't you?"
\What me? Nooooooo…/
"Stupid, nosey Dragon being sarcastic… look let's just forget this ever happened OK? Also while we're out make sure to keep me updated on anyone who is following me." Shirou suddenly feels an aura filled with mischievous intent right behind him.
\What you afraid that you're new frie-/
"We're not friends!"
\Right… you scared he'll follow you during your job?/
"No, because right now I felt that somebody…"
Shirou whips around and shouts, "Is trying to sell me something!"
No, one was there except a passing black cat which looked at Shirou while mewling.
*MEOW~!*
"…" Shirou looked deadpanned as he stared at the cat, which ran off after the strange man pointed at it.
\Partner, do you need help?/
"Don't say anything…"
\I mean are you afraid of cats now? Should we have a talk and gather a support group? You've been getting paranoid about cats since this morning./
"I said DON'T say ANYTHING." Shirou deepens his voice to emphasis his mistake.
\Can you tell me why you just turned around like an idiot then?/
"First, screw you. Second, I felt something right behind me alright and it wasn't power that was ordinary, okay?" Shirou growled.
\Heh! Really then how come I haven't sensed it?/
"That's why I said it isn't ordinary. You should remember that I'm sensitive toward only "one" kind of energy and right now I'm feeling a whole lot of it."
\If you're sensing a whole lot of it right now then can you pick up their location?/
"Not anymore, they were close. I guess they realized it and immediately hid their energy."
Shirou felt no trace of that power signature anymore and finally got a little grasp of who they were dealing with.
"Guess we can rule out what they're power is now. So let's go home." Calling it a day Shirou walked home while an itchy feeling was at the back of his head.
\...God your terrible working alone./
"Now what is it?"
\You said that the energy you sensed was natural right then why didn't you check to see if that cat was responsible for it?/
Shirou froze and bit his lip before kicking a nearby car, "FUCK!"
\And they call you the Ace of your master's peerage…/
From atop a building the cat that passed by Shirou was indeed watching him in silence as its golden eyes gleamed when it purred with a devilish smirk on its face.
*MEOW~!*
The next day the ORC club was in the clubroom with the members assembled doing their usual thing. After what had happened yesterday, the Student Council was able to clean up the damage and replace the memories of whoever watched to believe it was just a spat between two off campus delinquents.
Michael found it quite hilarious/ironic but his laughter ended once he later disciplined by Rias who forced him to apologize for his destructive behavior. Being lenient on him this time Sona, forgave him on the condition that he would stop defacing school property. Michael tried to play it off like he didn't do it but was caught red handed once a certain student council member finally revealed the graffiti with his name written all over it.
Hesitantly agreeing with his end of the deal, Michael bowed his head in shame, for some reason he heard the cackle of Saji in the background somewhere having finally gotten his revenge for being left behind as a sacrifice.
Now returned to their everyday duties, after school everyone in the clubroom gathered to do their usual stuff. It was a slow day so not that many contracts needed to be done so they took leisurely doing their normal stuff as a way to relax.
Playing video games with each other, Michael and Gasper sat side by side on the couches playing PvP games with each other. The young dhampir began to break out of his shell and became more sociable when around Michael and the other club members. Although he still acts insecure when talking to people outside this little group, it's still a big step for him, who couldn't talk to someone without screaming.
He still sits inside a box, because he finds it homey but it's still a good thing if it helps him talk more freely.
"Hyaaa! Take this my special move!" Michael mashed a couple of buttons and watched as his character do the finishing blow against Gasper's.
"I-I lost…" Gasper dropped his head in defeat.
"I'm sorry Gasper but my skills in video games have ascended to a new level yes I, who scowered every gaming shop in town for games like these cannot be beaten so easily!"
"A-Amazing, a-a plateau I never would have thought could be possible right in front of me…" Gasper looked up at the posing Michael with admiration and felt overwhelmed by the level of mastery Michael has over the game.
"That level… could I someday reach it?" Gasper asked.
"No, of course you can't!" Michael stood up and closed his eyes.
"Eh!?" Gasper mistook what Michael meant.
"Gasper… you shouldn't be seeking my power. You're you and I am me. We both walk different paths to get us as high in the world as we can. That's why… That's why, I want you to try and surpass me!"
"M-Michael-nii." Gasper starts to snivel.
"I want to a powerful opponent who can make my palms sweat during a Single and Team Match on my games! Make things interesting by being a strong opponent who can match me then try to defeat me with everything you have!" Michael clenched his fist with his game system in hand and shatters the screen.
Moved to tears by Michael touching words, Gasper stood up by his side.
"Video Games are Power! Video Games are life! Video Games are the future!"
"Y-Yeah!"
Michael grabs Gasper shoulder and points to the horizon, which was a random wall.
"Gasper reach the summit of Video Game Valhalla and try to surpass me!"
"Osu!"
Everyone who was watching found the pair's antic to be a little too serious over a silly thing such as video games.
"Those two are really energetic about something as trivial as games." Raynare smiled as she was trying her hand with chess against Kiba.
"I find their enthusiasm for anything, interesting." Kiba made his next move, already seeing the hole in Raynare's strategy.
Moving over to Michael who realized and started crying over his broken game system, Asia taps his shoulder to gain his attention. She seemed concerned about something, probably the whole fighting and apology thing with Shirou.
"U-Um… Michael-san did you and Shirou-san make up with each other?"
"Make up…? Yeah I guess we sort of did." Michael looked up and muttered before looking at Asia's concerned face.
"Don't worry about it, Asia, we're cool now." Michael gave a thumbs up.
"Thank goodness…" Asia breathed out in relief then noticed Michael's hand.
"Michael-san, y-your hand is bleeding." Asia rushes over to heal the bleeding hand that was cut up by the shattered glass of the gaming system.
"It was sorry I wasn't paying attention."
"Please do pay attention next time!" Asia was almost done healing the cut in his hand as Michael subconsciously thought back about his weaknesses and the power gap between him and Shirou. That just made him too anxious when Vali came into the picture as well.
'I'm still not good enough… I have to get stronger and stronger. Can accepting my weakness really be the ticket to it?' Michael wished at times like these he would have Kai around to properly train him but sadly he wasn't and he had to find everything out by himself.
"There all done." Asia finished healing the cut.
"Thanks I appreciate it Asia." Michael smiled gratefully, "I guess I should think more about what I'm doing, huh?"
"You're absolutely correct, Michael." Rias said sitting behind her desk with a stern voice while sipping some tea.
Michael jumped as he remembered the harsh yelling and discipline he had received and did his best to tend to her will so that she could forgive him.
"Now what have we learned from the past experience?" Rias has been going over this entire process to drill the lesson into Michael's head. She believed repetition is a good method into training the boy's hard headedness.
"I-I promise to never break any games I have because I'm broke as a joke!" Michael awkwardly laughed, he tried to lighten the mood.
"What was that?" Rias was now releasing a crimson aura which frightened Michael to his wits end.
"Michael-sama, you shouldn't joke around when you're in this mess just say what you have to say!" Raynare could feel the severe irritation Rias had towards Michael and who could blame her it wasn't everyday where you have your own servant ruin your own territory.
'I can't dodge this one.' Michael sighed.
"I promise to never damage or deface school property again."
"And…"
"And I promise to never attack a guest I was told not to speak to."
"And…"
"*SIGH!* And I promise to never disobey my master's commands…unless I had a good reason…" Michael whispered the last part.
"Good boy." Rias praised Michael's remembrance like a master praising its dog.
'How long will I have to suffer through this?' Michael slumped back onto the couch beside Gasper.
"Michael-nii could you help me with this level? I don't know how to beat this guy." Gasper hands over his game system to Michael.
"Sure, and make sure to watch, you wouldn't want to screw up when I'm not around." Michael happily showed his kouhai the gist of things. They are really getting along aren't they?
*KNOCK!* *KNOCK!*
Rias looked towards the door and said to herself, "I don't remember having any visitors today. You may come in."
Yet she still allowed whoever it was to enter and that was when everyone caught glance of Kiyome Abe and behind her a timid Makoto who scared to come in contact with anyone new.
'Kiyome-senpai?'
"Why hello there Rias-san I hope you don't mind me intruding." Kiyome crossed her arms under her chest as she entered followed by Makoto, who grabbed the back of her uniform like a life line.
"Not at all, Abe Kiyome-san." Rias was lying behind her smile, after yesterday she didn't feel that up to dealing with Kiyome's attitude.
"Now how can we help you?" Rias smiled as everyone in the clubroom paid attention to the conversation.
"I would like to ask for a request but first… say hello to them Makoto-chan."
"Mmmm…" Makoto was intent on hiding behind Kiyome
"Is that you're little brother I've been hearing so much about?" Rias asked.
"Yes, he's a little shy around people he doesn't know."
"Well hello there Makoto-kun it's a pleasure to meet you." Rias gave the boy a welcoming smile.
"…'lo" Makoto muttered as he now hid behind Kiyome completely.
Kiyome sighed at her brother's behavior and intended to get to business but…
"Hey is that Makoto?" Michael blinked then turned to grin at the boy, "Yo, Makoto it's me, Michael the guy who tried to sacrifice you!"
"Michael-kun, I don't you should say that if you want him to recognize you." Kiba sweatdropped.
"M-Michael-senpai…?" Makoto cheered up and gave a slight wave.
"Come over here and let's play some video games and eat snacks with us!" Michael pointed to the game system in his hands and the slice of cake Koneko was eating.
"R-Really? But I don't think you guys will enjoy it that much if I'm doing it with you." Makoto looked reluctant but he in reality he was scooting closer to them.
"He's saying one thing but his body is doing another. How odd." Xenovia rubbed her chin as she watched.
"Nonsense! Eating snacks and playing games with friends is a tradition that stems for years! And if we get bored we'll just use our phones to play mobile games like Clash of Clans!" Michael posed then said with a deep voice as the background behind him shows a fluttering American Flag.
"THAT'S THE AMERICAN WAY!"
"O-Okay!" Makoto couldn't turn down that offer as he lets sits down beside Michael and watches him play the game along with Gasper.
'It's be a while since I've seen Makoto that pepped up before maybe it's a good thing that he met Hanamura-kun. No, I can grateful for that later for now I just have to get what I came here for…'
Kiyome started to wear a prideful smile as she stared at Rias and stated her demands.
"I want Michael-kun."
"Absolutely not!"
Rias gave her answer the moment Kiyome gave her request.
"Oh! I meant physically, not sexually."
"The answer is still no."
"Why not?!" Kiyome complained, confused as to why her request was shot down the second time around. "I'm not taking him on some journey to the Underworld. I just need him for the one afternoon. I swear you'll have him back just as loud and proud as he was when he left."
Rias crossed her arms over her chest, giving Kiyome a serious "mom-like" look. Essentially, the look she always wore when Michael has or will make things difficult for everyone. "Let's start with the fact that you haven't even given me a proper reason as to why you would need to borrow my most adorable servant."
"I need him to be my boyfriend for the afternoon."
Michael barely turned his head, recognizing the heavy feeling in the air. "Oh, you really shouldn't have said that." He scooched further to the TV, both to be prepared for any potential bloodbath as well as to be prepared to protect his beloved TV and video games and/or use Makoto as a meat shield in order to accomplish said objectives.
"Care to repeat that?" Rias asked, her glass smile belying the evil-looking aura that surrounded her...No, not just her.
It was the feeling of raising multiple Death Flags that made Kiyome notice.
When Kiyome looked around, she noticed that just about every other female member of the club had suddenly stopped what they were doing, turning to face her with their own oppressive auras gathering around their bodies. It may have been dramatization caused by Kiyome's mind, but she could have sworn their eyes were glowing a malicious red color while shadows covered their faces.
"What did that bitch just say?"
"Ah, I would really prefer for Michael-san not to do that."
Raynare and even the usually-innocent Asia's killing intents were abnormally high.
"...He's our idiot." Koneko agreed in an oddly possessive way.
"I'm afraid I don't wish to let you have my adorable Kouhai for such a reason~ Ufufu~" Akeno gave an obviously "S" smile.
"I will not allow that." Xenovia stated darkly, pulling her hand back. "If it comes to it then..." The hilt of a sword appeared out of a small ripple in space.
Michael stared at her in shock and horror. "Idiot! You're gonna destroy the whole freaking clubhouse! Pulling out Durandal won't solve all your problems, you know!"
The killing intent was strong with these ones.
"Quick! Act like a possum and play dead!" Michael advised, seeing this as one of the rare opportunities where he himself was not the target to be bludgeoned, blasted, or otherwise eviscerated to death.
Kiyome raised her hands in surrender, beginning to sweat slightly at the sudden animosity directed towards her. "OK, can we all just calm down for a moment and not consider ways to murder someone?"
The other girls considered her request, their hostile auras slowly beginning to settle down...well, most of them anyway-
"No! I reject!" Raynare said immediately. She was clearly about to raise Hell, but the more rational-minded Asia brought her over to the side, doing her best to calm Raynare's jealous anger.
"Come on, Rias!" Kiyome practically begged. "It's just the one afternoon! What's the worst that could possibly happen while he's around me?"
"It's not what could happen while he's around you," Rias pointed out, "it's what could happen while he's with you."
"Seriously?" Kiyome raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "You're that paranoid?-Never mind! Just let me borrow your servant for the one thing! You guys owe me!"
"Owe you? For what?"
Kiyome crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at Rias.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe the hundreds of dollars' worth of damage you guys inflicted on the tennis courts the other day?"
"A few things: First, the tennis courts don't belong to you. They are school property. Thus, we owe you nothing. Second, we fixed the damages anyway-"
"Sona fixed the damages. You guys just took one look at the tennis court and started whistling while trying to walk away inconspicuously."
"So?"
"You all tried leaving in the same direction! It was like one obnoxious, whistling show choir!"
Rias closed her eyes, thinking back to the event Kiyome described, remembering specifically how Asia's heavenly whistle actually drew a whole flock of birds to a nearby tree...all of which were consequently eaten by some of the monsters Kiyome had left roaming about.
It took several hours after that to console Asia.
While this rousing conversation was going on Michael was still preoccupied with the game at hand however.
"M-Michael-senpai." Makoto pulled at Michael's sleeve.
"What's up?" Michael looked away from the game but managed to defeat one of the lingering opponents before turning to Makoto.
"I-I was surprised when I heard you were a devil."
"That's right I totally forgot you were related to Kiyome-senpai so you'd know about people like us." Michael scratched his cheek and felt a little bad for not telling the boy that crucial part about him.
"Sorry for forgetting that."
"No, its okay I don't mind really. Even when you were revealed to be a devil I still thought you were a nice person. Because you, a devil came up and talked to me even making me your friend. That is why I don't hold anything against you Michael-senpai."
Laughing at the underclassmen's simple view towards him, Michael lightly punches Makoto's shoulders,
"Heh! You're a pretty cool kid you know that?" Michael grins with pride for having a kouhai who was that accepting towards others.
While the other Kouhai sitting on his other side kept poking at his shoulder.
"M-Michael-nii…the enemies are returning…" Gasper kept on looking at the screen with fear as his PC was getting surrounded by enemies.
"So if you're related to Kiyome-senpai then I guess you're related to Natsuru-senpai as well."
"Definitely! Natsu-nee is definitely the best with Kiyome-neechan!"
"M-Michael-nii…! They're killing you!" Gasper cried as the enemies were ganging up and lowering the PC's HP.
"So Michael-senpai did you already meet Natsu-nee?"
"Yeah she even saved me from being a pin cushion!"
"R-R-Really, I'm so glad that you weren't hurt and N-Natsu-nee really is the kind, no?"
"I guess you're right!"
The two students were already locked in conversation, except for Gasper who saw how Makoto was gaining all of Michael's attention.
"M-Michael-nii…" Gasper quietly muttered in vain to get some attention himself.
"Oh Gasper!" Michael turns back to the Dhampir.
"Y-Yes!" Gasper excitedly smiled.
"Sorry for holding this for you, I'll let you play while I talk to Makoto make sure to do your best!" Michael laughed and turned his back to Gasper who froze in place after getting dissed.
But the most spirit breaking thing of all was when Michael patted Makoto roughly on the head while laughing at the shy boy's frazzled appearance.
The screen showing the game was game over with the PC's HP down to 0.
"M-Michael-nii?" Gasper dropped the controller utterly broken with a side of jealousy welling up within him.
'…A new r-rival has appeared…' Gasper's eyes grew glassy with held back tears as he glared at Makoto.
Kiyome slams her hands on Rias' desk, "Look just quit being stubborn and let me borrow your servant!"
"Just tell me the reason and I'll consider it!"
"No, just let me do what I need as compensation already!"
"We already told you the damages were already fixed, Kiyome-san please just tell us your reason for this." Rias groaned.
"Tch!" Biting her lower lip Kiyome growled, "Fine, look my father is telling me to have a marriage arrangement even though I'm a high school student. My father is someone who is very stubborn and goes through with any decision he makes."
"I see. Abe-senpai does come from a monster tamer household, with an ancient and honorable origin. So your parents decided to choose your groom immediately, right?"
"Exactly which is why-?" Kiyome breathed out tiredly.
"You need to borrow Michael is that correct?"
"Yes, I already told my father about him so I couldn't really ask anyone else to do it." Kiyome looked away.
Rias placed a hand to her mouth while lost in thought as she smiles with a mysterious glow, "Then I accept this request."
"WHAT!?" All the girls in the clubroom gasped, they expected Rias to be a little more reluctant with giving Michael away to a girl.
"Just like that?" Kiyome asked.
"Just like that." Rias stands up and giggles, hiding something behind her smile, "But I expect to receive something of equal value."
"D-Done, I'll make sure to do whatever I can to make up for this." Kiyome was just glad things were going her way.
"B-But, Rias-san are you really okay with this?" Raynare weakly reached out, she knew she had no say but really wanted to deny the request herself.
"Of course this way I get something in return and if I rejected the idea after Michael heard that story he would have gone and accepted the request behind my back." Rias looked to her coughing Pawn.
"Say whaaaaaat? Now Buchou why would you expect me to do something like that? That's just…uh…" Michael pulled out his phone and looked up a word,
"Preposterous."
"Is it?" Rias narrowed her eyes.
"Mike?"
*KNOCK!* *KNOCK!*
Everyone looked back at the door to see it open to reveal Saji carrying some weird stuff.
"Oh hello everyone…" Saji noticed at all the eyes focused on him.
"Why hello there Saji-kun what do you have there?" Rias looked to a whistling Michael who was slowly backing away.
"Well Michael texted me he had a plan for something so he told me to pick up a long trench coat, a gag handle bar mustache and this top hat along with this monocle." Saji showed everyone the items as they turned back to a sweating Michael who sucked in his lips.
"Also Mike my mom says she'll only be your getaway driver if the time is between 9:00 to 10:30." Saji would have continued but Michael rushed over to cover his mouth.
"S-Saji! I mean Saji lets just forget about that okay?" Michael nervously laughed as he could feel the accusing daggers of everyone's eyes stab into him.
"What are you serious? I had to pull out some of my funds from my term funding to get this stuff! Look I don't know about you but I'm about to leave to the Grig-!" Saji was silenced by Michael's hand again.
"Yeah, that's good and all so…shut up! Look I better see Saji out the door so see you all later! I'll make sure to be there to help Kiyome-senpai!" Michael grabbed his book bag and slams the door, after pushing Saji out.
Looking out the window, Koneko watches Michael running off campus, "He's running away…"
"That's okay no matter where he runs he will always end up at the place he can never escape…home." Rias had to think of a way to punish the young pawn, for trying to break his word from earlier.
"Ufufufu~! Do you suppose I can help with his punishment, Buchou?" Akeno's S side was rearing its head as she licked her lips at the prospect of punishing her cute kouhai.
"Of course this time he'll need to learn how scary it is to do stuff behind his master's back."
The two great ladies of Kuoh Academy were surrounded by a freakishly demonic aura spelling the end of Michael once they get their hands on him.
"S-Scary…" Makoto hid behind Kiyome in fear.
"So do we still have a deal?" Kiyome was trying her best to ignore how frightening the display was.
"Of course, expect him to be whipped and back into shape in no time."
"Don't you mean whipped back into shape?"
"…Don't you have a tennis team to coach?"
Rias avoided the question altogether!
"R-Right, let's go Makoto." Kiyome grabbed her brother and walked out the clubroom with a brisk pace while shuddering at the sounds of Rias and Akeno giggling for their kouhai's future punishment.
'Did I really seek these people for help?' Kiyome sweatdropped.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Retribrutus
Retribrutus On to part 2!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone